By: Jerry Connors, Jr.
CHESTER PA – Benjamin Hanover came out of the pocket to catch favored pacesetter Ari Ferrari J for the second straight week, evening their recent “score” in the $16,000 fast-class handicap trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with the time this “Trottin’ Thursday” 1:52.4.
The new element this week was “Ari”’s fellow millionaire Sir Pinocchio, coming in and having to start from the outside post six, vs. Benjamin’s four and Ari’s five. His two main rivals were joined by inside longshots early, putting Sir Pinocchio five-wide nearing the first turn and forcing him to tuck. Benjamin Hanover circled to command for Tim Tetrick, then yielded to Ari Ferrari J. That one went past splits of :27.1, :56.4, and 1:24.3, with Sir Pinocchio coming raw down the back to challenge.
The two leaders slugged it out around the far turn and into the lane, with Tetrick sitting calmly, then left-lining when the passing lane came and getting the decision by three quarters of a length. Ari Ferrari J held for second, with Sir Pinocchio edging second-over Dribbling Bi for third behind the winner, who is trained by Scott Di Domenico for owner Angela Cornell. Benjamin Hanover, a six-year-old Sebastian K gelding, now has 35 victories in but 72 career starts.
The $13,000 fast-class co-feature trot went to the International Moni gelding Arrowhead Hanover, who had hinted at a return to form with a good third despite a raw trip in his latest, and here again had to go raw but got the job done in 1:53.4. Favored Donato Patriot K, trying for his third straight win, took the engine duty and carved out splits of :28, :56.3, and 1:25. Arrowhead Hanover was relentless, though, forging to the lead in the lane and then holding off second-over Saint K by a neck. Troy Beyer drove Arrowhead Hanover for trainer Daniel Munson and Thestable Arrowheadhanover.
The Captain Corey sophomore filly Maya Patel Hanover, who had successes in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes race and a Pennsylvania All-Stars contest, switched over to conditioned race and had no problem winning the top trot for developing horses on the card, a $13,500 contest, in 1:55.2. Johnathan Ahle sent the swift filly right to command and posted fractions of :29.1, :58.3, and 1:27, then finished out in :28.2 to be well-clear of the competition for trainer Åke Svanstedt and the partnership of Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Brittany Farms LLC.
Andrew McCarthy was the day’s top driver for four victories, including three for trainer Per Engblom which led him to take the meet training lead 30-29 over Joe Bongiorno. Johnathan Ahle had two wins, both for trainer Åke Svanstedt; the other doublers on the day were Troy Beyer, Brad Chisholm, and meet leader Tim Tetrick.
Racing at Philly resumes Friday at 12:25, with fillies and mares in the pacing spotlight; Sunday’s 12:40 action features Captain Optimistic in the top fast-class pacing handicap. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.
CHESTER PA – Benjamin Hanover came out of the pocket to catch favored pacesetter Ari Ferrari J for the second straight week, evening their recent “score” in the $16,000 fast-class handicap trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with the time this “Trottin’ Thursday” 1:52.4.
The new element this week was “Ari”’s fellow millionaire Sir Pinocchio, coming in and having to start from the outside post six, vs. Benjamin’s four and Ari’s five. His two main rivals were joined by inside longshots early, putting Sir Pinocchio five-wide nearing the first turn and forcing him to tuck. Benjamin Hanover circled to command for Tim Tetrick, then yielded to Ari Ferrari J. That one went past splits of :27.1, :56.4, and 1:24.3, with Sir Pinocchio coming raw down the back to challenge.
The two leaders slugged it out around the far turn and into the lane, with Tetrick sitting calmly, then left-lining when the passing lane came and getting the decision by three quarters of a length. Ari Ferrari J held for second, with Sir Pinocchio edging second-over Dribbling Bi for third behind the winner, who is trained by Scott Di Domenico for owner Angela Cornell. Benjamin Hanover, a six-year-old Sebastian K gelding, now has 35 victories in but 72 career starts.
The $13,000 fast-class co-feature trot went to the International Moni gelding Arrowhead Hanover, who had hinted at a return to form with a good third despite a raw trip in his latest, and here again had to go raw but got the job done in 1:53.4. Favored Donato Patriot K, trying for his third straight win, took the engine duty and carved out splits of :28, :56.3, and 1:25. Arrowhead Hanover was relentless, though, forging to the lead in the lane and then holding off second-over Saint K by a neck. Troy Beyer drove Arrowhead Hanover for trainer Daniel Munson and Thestable Arrowheadhanover.
The Captain Corey sophomore filly Maya Patel Hanover, who had successes in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes race and a Pennsylvania All-Stars contest, switched over to conditioned race and had no problem winning the top trot for developing horses on the card, a $13,500 contest, in 1:55.2. Johnathan Ahle sent the swift filly right to command and posted fractions of :29.1, :58.3, and 1:27, then finished out in :28.2 to be well-clear of the competition for trainer Åke Svanstedt and the partnership of Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Brittany Farms LLC.
Andrew McCarthy was the day’s top driver for four victories, including three for trainer Per Engblom which led him to take the meet training lead 30-29 over Joe Bongiorno. Johnathan Ahle had two wins, both for trainer Åke Svanstedt; the other doublers on the day were Troy Beyer, Brad Chisholm, and meet leader Tim Tetrick.
Racing at Philly resumes Friday at 12:25, with fillies and mares in the pacing spotlight; Sunday’s 12:40 action features Captain Optimistic in the top fast-class pacing handicap. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.
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